Rise up;

    come to our help!

Redeem us for the sake

    of Your steadfast love.

              Psalm 44. 26

(Our first response,

      not our last resort,

is to come before God

    with our needs.

Have we considered

        praying about this?

Even in hardship,

            God redeems.

Even in difficulty,

  we dwell in His steadfast love.

Even in what

    we cannot comprehend,

    God covers us

          when we turn to Him.

He reveals not just a way through,

     but He reveals Himself.

"Do not fear.  I am with you."

And that changes everything.)

O LORD,

Help us to not just believe,

   but to know You.

Surround us by Your love,

touch our hearts

and redeem our circumstances

       for Your great purposes.

Help us to trust You

      even in this hard place.

Use this to align our hearts

                   with Yours.

Strengthen us

            by Your Presence.

Show us how to bring

    Your flourishing to this situation.